The Culture

		The different tribal groups that now live in Kutch have migrated there from countries as diverse as present day Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Turkey, Iran, and other areas in the Middle East and Central Asia. There is even some evidence to show that the Jat community may have originated in Greece or Germany. The textiles of each of these groups evolved through necessity as portable vessels, furnishings, and items of clothing. Each community and tribal group has it's own lexicon of motifs and embroidery stitches. Other craft techniques, such as batik and beading, have been imported into Kutch through sea trade with other countries. As far as Religion goes, remarkable amity amongst different religions groups has been traditional in Kutch. This openness to all religious faiths goes back to the common roots of the Jadejas and Sammas of Sindh.  Such cohesion turned out to be of great politic value also and even though Muhammaden armies crossed the country, Kutch was never considered ripe for a Jihad.
The Kutch rulers paid equal reverence at temples, mosques and dargahs and though being Hindu, a good portion of their army was Muslim. The Kutch durbar also gave protection and facilities to pilgrims going to Mecca. This cross-worship by different religious groups continues to this day. More interesting is the fact that apart from the orthodox streams, what prevails can best be described as popular religion - the worship of saints, mystics and heroes.